Margarita Cremo

MARGARITA G. CREMO

APRIL 10, 1933 – JUNE 4, 2020

It is with profound sadness that we announce Margarita G. Cremo has been called to eternal life by our Heavenly Father on June 4, 2020.  She passed away peacefully in the loving hands of her daughter and granddaughters.

Born in Laredo, Texas on April 10, 1933, Margarita (“Mague”) was regarded by her siblings as her father’s favorite – embodying his strong character and can-do attitude.  As a young lady and avid swimmer, she helped with the maintenance and routine operations of her parent’s family business which included swimming pools.  It was from this work that she derived her strong work-ethic and time management skills. She also enjoyed playing the piano and tennis in her pastime.

She birthed 8 children – for the most part, raising them on her own.  She juggled motherhood with a full-time career.  She worked for the Laredo Waterworks for several years.  But, she spent the majority of her career (40+ years) as a successful Advertising Executive for the Laredo Morning Times (“LMT”), up until her retirement on December 31, 1996.  As an LMT employee, Margarita set many sales records and won numerous awards for her exceptional service; she was well-known by many in the community.  Anywhere she went, she would be greeted by friends, including past clients.

Margarita knew how to work hard – but she played harder!  She enjoyed her frequent trips to Las Vegas, Wendover and Kickapoo.  While she was not out-of-town gambling, you could catch her at the Border Bingo up until the rise of the “maquinitas”.  She truly enjoyed her time playing, especially since she had a life-long companion in her daughter, Blanca, who enjoyed it just as much and accompanied her on nearly all of her out-of-town trips.  Some of her happiest moments were when she’d hit the jackpot!

She started each day by making her daily phone calls to check-in with loved ones.  As a devout Catholic, she regularly attended Mass and would pray every single day for the health and well-being of her children and her family.  She always kept her St. Anthony candle lit and kept the memories of those that went before her very much alive.

Birthdays and holidays were very special times for her.  Traditions included birthday cake, ice cream and carne asadas (including always just one – maybe two - cervezas), Easter Sundays filled with cascarones at the ranch, and Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve with loved ones enjoying home-cooked pozole, menudo, mole and tamales. She would beam with pride when her kids and grandkids accomplished various milestones and work-related accomplishments.  Some of our favorite memories include Sunday family-dinners when she would cook her famous spaghetti!

As the strongest woman many of us will ever know, she will be greatly missed.  We find solace and comfort knowing that she has been embraced by our loving Father.  May His perpetual light shine up on her until we see her beautiful face in the Kingdom of Heaven again.

She was preceded in death by her parents Jose and Guadalupe Gallego; sons Robert Cremo, Albert Cremo and David Cremo; granddaughters, Margaret Hill and Diana Allen; brothers Jorge Gallego, Raul Gallego, and Jaime Gallego; sisters Maria Luisa Vicharelli and Blanca Chapa, and son-in-law Fernando D. Laurel, III.

She is survived by her sons and daughters Joe Rodriguez (Rosa), Elsa Lopez (Oscar), Blanca Hill (Don), Richard Cremo (Cynthia) and Patricia Laurel (Fernando †); and grandsons and granddaughters Maria Elena Morris (Thomas); Joe Rodriguez IV (Vanessa); Jaime Cisneros; Karim Hill (Sandra), David Hill (Jacqueline), Darius Hill, Trisha Whetstone (Stephen), Michelle Cruz (Alex), and Richard Cremo; Ashleigh Laurel Lastra (Jose), Vyctoria Laurel, Roel Sergio Cremo;  and sister Teresa Gutierrez and other relatives, and many friends.

The family will be receiving condolences on Friday evening, June 5, 2020 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd.; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 6 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday morning, June 6, 2020 departing at 12:15 p.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel to St. Patrick Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 p.m.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot in the Laredo City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Joe Rodriguez III, Richard Cremo, Karim Hill, David Hill, Darius Hill, and Jose Lastra.

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, TX 78041, 956.722.8850